MP: 'Police funding cuts has led to rise in violence on the streets of Sheffield'

Cuts to police funding has led to an increase in violent crime and loss of lives on the streets of Sheffield, a city MP has claimed.

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh, who is also shadow policing minister, was speaking after the government announced police officers would be given a two per cent pay rise.

She said that 'years of cuts to pay and other resources have led to damaged police morale, a loss of 2,000 officers in South Yorkshire and contributed to the recent rise in violent crime which has claimed lives in Sheffield'.

Ms Haigh said: "A pay-rise is long overdue for police officers and staff who have suffered from years of real terms pay cuts under the Tories.

“Today the Government has again shown they don’t believe that officers are not worthy of the recommendations of the independent pay review body. Today's derisory award is yet another real-terms cut to officers' pay.

“It is also a kick in the teeth that there is no additional help from the government to cover."

Home secretary Sajid Javid said the government had tried 'to strike a balance' between affordabiity to forces across the country and 'fairness to the taxpayer'.

Mr Javid said: "Our police officers do an incredible job in the face of complex crime and rising demand, and I’m grateful for their continued dedication to keeping us safe. This award represents the highest consolidated pay award since 2010.

"I’ll continue to fight on behalf of police to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively."

Detectives at South Yorkshire Police are working on eight murder probes since the start of the year, with suspects charged over seven of the eight killings.

Detectives are working on eight murder probes launched since the start of the year.

Speaking earlier this month South Yorkshire Police's head of crime, Det Chief Supt James Abdy, said the force had 'responded strongly and positively' to the spate of murders.

He said: "When a homicide occurs it will always be investigated fully, with the absolute care and professionalism the families of those killed would expect.

"Officers and staff within our major crime unit have worked exceptionally hard over recent weeks to gather evidence, identify suspects and make a number of vital arrests, demonstrating their commitment and determination to keeping the residents of South Yorkshire safe and bringing offenders to justice before the courts."